Chengannnur By-Poll: K M Mani and his Party is Not a Force To Reckon With Anymore?

Chengannur by-polls are done and dusted with LDF winning by a majority of 20956 votes. If there is one lesson that the losers can take out of this election, it is that K M Mani’s support hasn’t done any good to UDF. A Closer look at the numbers would reveal that having Mani in the team has actually proven detrimental to the chances of UDF. VijayaKumar, the UDF candidate was pushed in to third place at Thiruvanvandoor panchayat ruled by Kerala Congress (M). It looks like Mani’s party is slowly becoming obsolete in the scheme of things of Kerala Politics.

After ending it’s alliance with UDF, K M mani had held firm that he wasn’t joining any other coalition. But soon his actions and tone began hinting a possible shift towards the LDF camp. CPI was quick to realize the change of attitude in Kerala Congress (M) and vehemently protested against any such plans in the future. They argued that after leading month long protests against K M Mani’s Bar Scandal case , it would be unforgivable to join hands with them. Soon LDF was left in a position from where they couldn’t bring Mani in to their team, even though some of their top leaders badly wanted it.

see also: Chengannur Bypoll Final Results Out: Record Victory

Mani’s party itself had fissures with its workers and leaders completely split on which side to join. P J Joseph also wasn’t interested in going to LDF. All these situations compounded the pressure on Mani as he had no choice but to go back to UDF. Top leaders of UDF including former chief minister Oommen Chandy, K P C C president M M Hassan, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala ,Muslim League MLA Kunjalikutty all met Mani and held discussions. Mani decided to offer support to UDF, a decision that had no positive impact on UDF ,Proved by the elections result.

The huge margin which LDF won proves two things. K M Mani is no more a leader who can control a percentage of vote that could swing results. Also a lot of his workers have voted for LDF , the numbers tell the story.. So what’s next for K M Mani and his party ? He wouldn’t get the stardom he used to in UDF anymore, that seems sure.